I have learned that being an aunt is that watching children grow up is a surefire way to see how quickly time is passing. My nephew is currently 4, and my niece is 2 years old, and they are growing so quickly I can hardly stand it. Children have a way of showing us how time never stands still, as much as we would like to freeze it. The truth is, time is passing by faster than we could ever realize. As much as we would like to run from this truth sometimes, it is important to understand. Time passing by is also a reminder that Jesus is coming soon, and we must be prepared for that day and help others be prepared as well.
The book of Revelation is a book that recounts what will happen during the end times. As the book comes to an end, the apostle John, the writer of Revelation, shared some words which Jesus had revealed to him. "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds" (verse 12). In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, it is only fitting that we are reminded one more time that Jesus is coming soon. Not only is He coming soon, when he comes, He will "repay all according to their deeds" (verse 12). This means that preparation is vital. We must be ready for Christ's impending return. We must live every single day in light of the truth that He is coming.
As we think about the truth that Christ is coming soon, the question is, how will we prepare? What changes in our every-day actions in light of this truth? Who will we reach out to and share our faith with? How will we make Christ known to a hurting world in need of Him? Life is quickly passing by around us. Jesus is coming soon. Are we prepared?
Our time is short. We must be prepared for heaven. We must be prepared to meet Jesus. We also must help others be prepared, too. Who is one person with who you can begin sharing your faith with? Write their name down and pray for them every day, pray that God would give you opportunities to share your faith, pray that God would make their hearts receptive to hearing about faith in Him, and ultimately pray that they would commit their lives to Him.
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”
I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”
Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.
He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.
